MLB news from the past week.
Diamondbacks are earning a dirty reputation
Last year, it was Ian Kennedy against Zack Greinke and Yasiel Puig. Earlier this year, Evan Marshall got a fist bump from his manager for drilling Ryan Braun. Fast forward to this past Saturday when Andrew McCutchen took a fastball in the back from Randall Delgado; some believe it was in retaliation for Paul Goldschmidt getting hit in the hand, suffering a fracture which most likely ends the rest of the season. Whatever the reason, it doesn't reflect well on the Arizona franchise. Tony La Russa, of course, was there to criticize those who question the integrity of the team.
New commissioner to be decided next week
Rob Manfred is seen as the favorite to succeed Bud Selig as MLB commissioner next year, but now Tom Werner is challenging him. Werner has the support of a few team owners who don't want Manfred as commish, even though Werner's history as an executive with the Padres in the '90s was not very successful.
Padres tab A.J. Preller as new GM
Preller previously served in international scouting and player development with the Texas Rangers, and is the fourth different GM since Kevin Towers was fired in 2009. He was officially introduced as GM on Wednesday.
Javier Baez homers in MLB debut
Chicago's much ballyhooed top prospect finally made his debut on Tuesday against the Rockies, and if you didn't already know who he was, I'm sure you will very quickly. His first major-league homer was a game-winner, and of his first five hits, three have been homers.
Tell that to Cubs fans, Troy. He says "something needs to change", but denied that he wanted to leave.
I think that [falling to last place in the NL West] is why I came out numerous times and said I want to win. It doesn't mean I want out of here. It means I'm sick and tired of losing.
Something needs to change. Hopefully that comes fairly quickly. You can't force it. But at the same time, we're all frustrated with this year - especially me.
He dropped the Red Sox as a model of making drastic changes to personnel back in 2012 with their salary dump trade with the Dodgers, and then winning the World Series the following year.